NBA Rumors: Ranking Lakers’ rumored trade targets for 17th pick

1. Myles Turner

Like Hield, Myles Turner has been tied to the Los Angeles Lakers for quite some time now. But it goes much deeper than that for Turner, who legitimately would be in the NBA rumors Hall of Fame as he has seemingly been on the market for years.

Perhaps this is the time that Turner gets traded as he is coming off of a career year. And while his trade value never quite lines up with what Indiana asks for, Turner would be such a great fit on the Lakers it is impossible to ignore.

His ability to spread the floor and hit shots both as an off-ball option and as an initiator while also being able to protect the rim on the other side would be so beneficial to the Lakers. It would allow Anthony Davis to be the center on offense and be the roaming free safety-type of defender on defense.

In the regular season, this might not always work when the Lakers are running man. But in a playoff series? Turner could make a huge difference. After watching how well it worked with a smaller Rui Hachimura off the bench, Lakers fans should be confident in a potential Turner addition.

In a perfect world, the Lakers can get back a draft pick with Turner

The Pacers have three total picks in the first round and they reportedly are looking to trade up in the draft. That being said, it might be a bit far-fetched for the Lakers to get the 26th or 29th pick as well as Turner in this deal.

But could the Lakers get pick 32 with Turner? Absolutely. A package of Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba and the 17th pick works financially. If Rob Pelinka gets his negotiator hat on, he could try to get Indiana to throw in pick 32 as there won’t be enough roster space for it, allowing LA to still make two picks in the draft.

With LA’s scouting and development, the ability to get Myles Turner and only move back 15 spots in the draft would be massive.